TheMutual Support Group for Families of the Disappeared-GAM-is a Guatemalan organisation with a 30-year history of human rights defense. It was founded onJune 4, 1984, byNinethMontenegro,MaríaEmiliaGarcía, María del RosarioGodoyde Cuevas,RaquelLinaresandAuraElenaFarfan, women who came together to support each other in the wake of the disappearance of their husband, brother or son by the Guatemalan State .

Duringthe early years,the work of GAMwas focusedin urban areas, but soon it extended its support for families of missing peasants andindigenouspeople. Theyhave filedpetitions for habeas corpusand civilclaimsin national andinternational bodies.They took up public awareness-raising actionscalled 'theFridaymeetings', whereattendeesplayedwhistles andbanged potsin frontof governmentoffices.

OnNovember 30, 1984, after a meetingthatGAMhad with theHead of State,GeneralÓscarHumbertoMejíaVíctores, the Tripartite Commission was created, which aimed to investigate violations ofHumanRights.

However, as their voices of protest became more publicly prominent, the GAM members themselves became targets of State violence. At Easter time in 1985, GAM leaders Hector Calito and Rosario Godoy de Cuevas was brutally abducted and murdered in separate attacks by forces of the military regimes.

In 1986, the GAM was promoted as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ana Lucía Cuevas meeting with lawyers from GAM, Maynor Estuardo Galeano and Alejandro Axpuac.(Pictured on the wall behind, is Lucía's sister-in-law, and one of GAM's founders, Rosario Godoy de Cuevas.)